The Aureum Top, another beauty from Sofilantjes!What I like the most about this new pattern? The fact that this pattern does not have 1 racerback option, but offers no less than four different ones! So you can vary endlessly …

For my trial version, I first made a t-shirt-length version. I’m a fan of tops that fall long, so that’s great! At the front it looks like a rather ‘normal’ summer top, but then that back … You already know, I have something with nice details on the back. And then this pattern came out ….For my first version I opted for the teardrop-shaped keyhole (option B). To emphasize the back detail (or what do you think?) I used a piece of stretchy lace, which was left over from when I made Ellie & Mac’s Wrapped-in-love.

This pattern is actually quite simple! The difficulty is in putting on the stretchy bias tape. If it is your first time, it’s a little fiddly, as I remeber… I divided the neckline and armholes into four equal parts, just like the bias tapes I had to put on. A bit like when putting on a waistband or neckband. That worked fine for me. I did use pre-formed stretch bias, but you can also make it yourself. The necessary information to complete all this is neatly described in the manual with the pattern. (This manual is available in Dutch, English and French!)I made size 40, widened to size 44 for the hips.

As I was sewing the t-shirt, the question ‘What would the combination with a Solis circle skirt look like?’ arose. Well, I had to try that … 🙂I will show you below how I approached to fit that beautiful back detail of the Aureum into the pattern of the Solis. Especially the bodice requires some adjustments.

First, I put the pattern pieces of the torso of the Solis on top of the pattern part of the Aereum. I made sure that the points at the top of the side seam (just below your armpit) coincided. I then copied the side seam and the bottom of the pattern part of the Solis to that of the Aureum.As you can see in the pictures below, the seam mid front and mid back still doesn’t quite coincide. However, that did not cause any problems afterwards, when putting on the circle skirt. At the waist, the dress is now slightly more spacious than the Solis, but it is certainly not disturbing!

I cut the pattern accordingly and then my fabric. For the back detail I chose yet another leftover stretch lace. I did not have to change anything about those pattern parts. This time I chose the overlapping keyhole (option C).And then I just cut out the circle skirt from the Solis. And that’s it!There’s nothing more to this hack really… For the bodice, I followed the instructions of the Aureum, and after that I put on the circle skirt.I am very satisfied with the result!

Both patterns come from Sofilantjes.For the top I used the Aureum.For the dress I combined the Aureum with the skirt part of the Solis.This is my affiliate link: https://www.sofilantjes.com/?affiliates=247.This will bring you to the Sofilantjes webshop. If you go to the webshop via this route and buy a pattern, I will receive a small commission as a tester from Sofilantjes, as a thank you for my material and time. It does not cost you extra as a buyer, but for me it is a sign of appreciation 😉It helps me to continue to pursue my hobby. So thank you very much if you purchase via this link!

Time to take on a challenge! I’ve been putting it off for a long time: sewing pants for myself. That has a lot to do with my sizes. Because before you can start sewing, you must of course have a pattern that suits you. When I look at the size table of such a pattern, I immediately notice that there is a very big difference between my waist (S) and my hips and buttocks (L / XL). So that means that no pattern is ready for me … I am used to changing patterns of tops and dresses, but pants …

As you can guess in the meantime, I dared to do it. For Ellie & Mac’s ‘Nothing-but-bottoms promo’, I left my comfort zone. I started working with two patterns, and wanted to try something out. The advantage of working with jersey: no zippers and buttons. In other words, once sewing starts, it’s a breeze …For my bottoms I chose the pattern of the Not-So-Basic-Pants. There are two variants in this pattern: legging-style pants and wide-leg pants. Initially I made both versions, out of curiosity what would suit me best. Although I was pretty sure that especially the wide leg pants would be my genre. After all, a tight-fitting model tends to accentuate just that which I anxiously try to hide. Still, I have to admit I’m satisfied with both variants, I’m glad I tried them both. As I expected, I feel most comfortable with the wide leg pants.

Sewing those pants went amazingly smoothly and quickly! In less than fifteen minutes, my trousers were finished, hemmed and everything! That made me sew a total of four trousers in two days, between teaching my children, housekeeping and work!I have to admit that I spent a lot of time in advance on the pattern, where I had to ‘blend’. But apparently that worked out well, because my trial version was immediately a wearable piece!

In my shopping cart I recently put the newly released Summer Nights pattern. This combines pants (with side pockets) with a top. I already saw a lot of nice versions passing by, and I still had a large piece of the fabric that I made my trousers from … So I made three tops in addition to four trousers. These are also very quickly put together. It is a raglan model in which you sew a tunnel in the neckline and put on elastic. A waistband attached, and ready!For the top you have a choice between short sleeves or long wide sleeves with a cuff (bishop sleeves).Now that I have overcome my fear of trousers (at least for stretch fabrics), I will certainly also make the pants with side pockets! I have a taste for it 🙂

Summer Nights Top met bishop-sleeves en Not So Basic Pants met wijde pijpen 1Summer Nights Top with bishop sleeves and Not So Basic Pants with wide legs 1

But my girls needed a new bathing suit, so I started working on the pattern for them now. No hacks, no mash-ups, just the pattern as it is.This is a halter neckline, where you tie the straps in the neck. This gives you a nice open back, while the front is nicely closed. Yet here in the front some openness is created with a nice keyhole detail in the neckline. You can make romper, dress, or top and shorts cover up to keep your little one looking stylish on the way to the water!

Ellie & Mac’s Be Graceful Dress has had an update.This is not a new pattern, but one that has been retested and refined.For example, the way you attach the skirt part to the bodice was adjusted. This means that the manual has also been completely renewed.With the new method you sew a casing through which you pull elastic, which ensures a much nicer fit and more even gathers at the waist. This way you get less of the ‘look-pregnant’ look that you sometimes get when you gather a skirt and then attach it ….Furthermore, the pattern parts of both the skirt and the bodice were adjusted (made a little narrower, so that it fits better) and the length of the sleeves was also perfected.

The second I made in a lovely retro-look fabric. I honestly thought that this would not suit me at all, but I really like the result! I was a bit disappointed when I saw the pictures I took, and only then noticed a typical beginner mistake … I sewed so enthusiastically (and given limited sewing time – this was pre-corona era – a bit hasty too) that the front panel of the skirt part is upside down … I know, if I wouldn’t have said it, you might not even have noticed … But then again you know that once you have noticed it yourself, you can never be completely satisfied with your work. ..Wrong or not, I will definitely wear it!

And finally a third version, ready for spring! This time with 3/4 sleeves.I did not sew with black and white in ages, so I found it became quite ‘classy’ 🙂I bought the fabric in the Driessen webshop and it is a jersey piqué. (No ironing!)

Oh yes, as you have already noticed: pockets are included with this pattern!What are you waiting for? You can go in many directions with this pattern!You choose a knee-length skirt or a maxi skirt, and you have the choice of short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves and long sleeves. Combine that with summer or winter fabrics, and you make flattering dresses for every season!

When I first saw the testcall for the wrapped in love dress, I immediately saw a great hacking opportunity 🙂

I came across this pinspiration and knew the wrapped in love dress would provide the perfect base!

I had to try and hack it to achieve this look! I used the pattern piece of the front bodice and altered it to have a sweetheart neckline. I used that altered piece to cut my liner. I also changed the back bodice pattern piece for the liner. All I did then, was cutting my main pieces out of a stretch lace fabric (sleeves, front and back bodice), and using that as an overlay.

I was doubting: should I attach the liner to the overlay fabric or not? I decided to stitch it on, and risk it pulling down the lace fabric. Otherwise it might shift or lay loose and unflattering. Turned out that was a good decision. The liner is secured to the main following the curves of the liner, and afterwards I did catch it in the side seams as well. I love the result! Since I was just trying, I had lengthened the bodice pattern pieces, so I could use it as a top. But once I had it ready, I thought it would be fun if I didn’t attach the skirt, but keep it as a separate. I just cut the skirt pieces in my liner fabric and used elastic band on top. Serged it on (on the inside) and then folded it over to the inside and stitched it together.

Now I have a fancy dress, but can just as well wear the top on a jeans!

Now everything worked out, I had to make a black one! I tried to make some pictures to show you how I hacked it.

First, I want to show you what I did with the pattern pieces. On the pictures below, you get to see how I altered them.

On the front bodice, I drew a curved line to create the sweetheart neckline for the liner. To make sure the liner wouldn’t shift, I started above the armpit. This way, the liner will get caught when putting in the sleeve, keeping it in place. I wanted to make sure that there wasn’t to much exposure, so I can easily wear a strapless bra underneath. But of course, you can play around with the curve to your own liking. For the back bodice, I just folded down the top part of the pattern piece, creating a straight line. Again I made sure that line runs above the armpit. To prevent shifting, and to cover up my bra.
To create a top, I just lengthened the pattern piece by adding 5 inches to the bottom. Since I wanted my hips to fit in, I did let it flare outwards.

Now for the black version: this is how my fabrics looked like once cut.

Since I wanted the scalloped hem of my lace fabric, I had to cut the back bodice in two, creating a middle back seam.

My first step was attaching the liner of the front bodice to the main of the front bodice, following the new lines on my liner. And then repeating that for the back bodice.

All that was left was attaching bodice front to back at the shoulder seams, making sure my stretch fabric was sandwiched in between the liner fabric. Next step was attaching the sleeves and closing the side seams. I made sure to catch both my main and liner fabric when doing so.

Since this stretch lace had a beautiful scalloped hem, I now had a second top ready! All that was left, was making a black skirt as described earlier in this post. Now I have 4 pieces to play with! This black dress makes me feel gorgeous!

I love this dress, I love the wrapped-in-love pattern and I love to share. So as icing on the cake I can give away a gift card of $35 for the Ellie & Mac webshop! All you need to do is follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ingelrelst and react on my post about this dress!

I recently bought a nice checkered knit fabric at the fabric circus in Ghent at the beginning of December. Perhaps you have experienced that too, that you immediately realize what a fabric should become? That is exactly what happened with this fabric. It just had to be a Sweetie Tunic & Dress from Ellie & Mac. But because it is winter, I felt like it needed a cowl. So I just googled how you can handle that, and then got started.

For the cowl I first measured the neckline, once I stitched the shoulder seams. With that result I added 2.5 cm (1 inch) for the length of the rectangle that I was going to cut. The width is 25 cm (9.8 inch), I couldn’t get more out of the left-over fabric…

To secure the collar, I sewed the short sides together (straight sides against each other), as you would with a normal neckband. Then I folded the band in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides on top of each other (still like you would with a normal neckband). I divided both the neckline and the band into fours with needles and pinned it with the right side against the right side of the bodice. Stitch, and done!In fact, just like you usually sew a regular neckband …Furthermore, just follow the pattern, it’s that simple!

To finish it off, I used a decorative band with loops at the bottom hem. I had exactly enough left for this project (I didn’t have 0.5″ too much …!). That way I didn’t lose extra length, just what I wanted!I have worn this long top several times since I finished it, and I already know that more of these will follow!

Now quickly finish a bolero (short cardigan) for New Year’s Eve, less than 24 hours to go!But the reversible bolero that I just cut is going to fit perfectly with the Play Date Dress that I finished yesterday! Keep an eye on my blog 😉